From Taco to Enchilada: What Are the Differences?

Tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas and quesadillas—all delicious, but what exactly is what? Do you sometimes feel like you can no longer see the wood for the Mexican trees? Here you go: once and for all, all the confusion cleared up.

From taco to enchilada: the differences

Tortilla

The tortilla is what the filling goes in, on, between or under. Exactly how this happens and what kind of tortilla (wheat or corn) is used makes the difference between all the variations, so pay close attention.

Taco

Fold a corn tortilla in half and fill it, and you have a taco. Authentic Mexican tacos are made with soft tortillas, not those hard ones that break as soon as you look at them. And do you already know birria tacos? Impossibly delicious!

Enchilada

An enchilada is a corn tortilla that you fill, usually with chicken, although turkey or beef is sometimes used too. Roll up the tortilla, pour a salsa or mole sauce over it, add some cream and cheese, and put it in the oven for a little while so the cheese becomes crispy. These are our favorite Mexican restaurants in Amsterdam for eating this delicious dish.

Burrito

A large wheat tortilla filled with whatever you like, then folded up. What makes a burrito a burrito is the beans, so make sure they’re always included. After that, you can vary it as much as you like.

Fajita

With a fajita, you still have to do a little work yourself. It consists of a wheat tortilla with grilled meat, bell pepper and onions, and everything is usually served separately. At the table, you roll it up yourself into a kind of burrito, but with slightly different ingredients.

Quesadilla

A quesadilla is usually made with a corn tortilla, but wheat is fine too. As long as it consists of two tortillas layered on top of each other, filled with meat and cheese. Then fry it in a pan so the cheese melts and turns all the separate ingredients into one creamy whole. Cut it into wedges and start snacking.

Read also:

• 7 Mexican dishes they don’t eat in Mexico at all
• The Mexican street food you didn’t know yet
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